Extraction of protein from apricot kernel oil press cake (AKOPC) through innovative techniques and the formulation of supplemented yogurt.

The apricot kernel oil press cake (AKOPC) is a high protein natural by-product of oil mechanical expression with potential uses in cosmetics, medicines, and food. The purpose of this research was to improve the protein extraction process from apricot kernel oil press cake by using enzymatic extraction (EEP), aqueous extraction (AEP), and ultrasound extraction (UEP) process. Protein extraction by AEP was facilitated by a low solid-liquid ratio (SLR) (1:15.97) and prolonged reaction durations (3.30 h), resulting in extraction yields of 68%. When compared to the AEP by similar reaction time, increased enzyme utilization (0.90%) in the EEP resulted in greater protein extraction yields (70%) in a shorter reaction time. In addition to AEP and EEP, ultrasound extraction was also used to improve protein extractability. Temperature (50°C), power density (225 W/L), and extraction duration (20 min) were shown to be the best extraction points. Protein yield was found to be 56.47% at ideal UEP conditions. The experimental values for these reactions were found to be equivalent to the predicted values formed by the mathematical models. When supplementary skimmed milk powder (SMP) was substituted with apricot kernel protein (AKP) in the yogurt manufacturing process, the total solids, average titratable acidity, total protein, and fat contents of the yogurt were increased. In contrast, pH and syneresis values decreased as AKP increased in the resulting yogurt, whether fresh or after 7 days of cold storage. Substitution of additional SMP with AKP in yogurt production might be recommended up to 35%.

Optimization of the Ultrasound Operating Conditions for Extraction and Quantification of Fructooligosaccharides from Garlic (Allium sativum L.) via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Refractive Index Detector.

Dietary interventions have captured the attention of nutritionists due to their health-promoting aspects, in addition to medications. In this connection, supplementation of nutraceuticals is considered as a rational approach to alleviating various metabolic disorders. Among novel strategies, prebiotic-supplemented foods are an encouraging trend in addressing the issue. In the present investigation, prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were extracted from garlic (Allium sativum L.) powder using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the independent sonication variables, i.e., extraction temperature (ET, 80, 90, and 100 °C), amplitude level (AL, 70, 80, and 90%) and sonication time (ST, 10, 15 and 20 min). The maximum FOS yield (6.23 ± 0.52%) was obtained at sonication conditions of ET (80 °C), AL (80%) and ST (10 min), while the minimum yield of FOS was obtained at high operating temperatures and time. The optimized FOS yield (7.19%) was obtained at ET (80 °C), AL (73%) and ST (15 min) after model validation. The influence of sonication parameters, i.e., ET, AL and ST, on FOS yield was evaluated by varying their coded levels from -1 to +1, respectively, for each independent variable. High-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detector (HPLC-RID) detection and quantification indicated that sucrose was present in high amounts (2.06 ± 0.10 g/100 g) followed by fructose and glucose. Total FOS fractions which included nystose present in maximum concentration (526 ± 14.7 mg/100 g), followed by 1-kestose (428 ± 19.5 mg/100 g) and fructosylnystoses (195 ± 6.89 mg/100 g). Conclusively, garlic is a good source of potential prebiotics FOS and they can be extracted using optimized sonication parameters using ultrasound-assisted techniques with maximum yield percentage.

A randomized controlled trial on albino rats treated with chicory plant to improve liver efficiency.

Chicory can be used as herbal medicine against different ailments and also added to daily diet as vegetable or animal feed. An efficacy trial was conducted to assess the potential of this plant against liver disorders using rodent modeling. The trials comprised two modules i.e., normal diet and chicory-based supplemented diet. Moreover, experimental animals (rats) were divided into six groups with both modules including C0 (control diet), C1 (Chicory root containing diet), C2 (chicory seed containing diet), C3 (chicory stem containing diet) and C4 (chicory leaf containing diet). During 56 days of the trial period, serum lipid profile, liver and renal functioning tests were performed. The highest feed and water intake, as well as weight gain, was noted in control (C0) trailed by C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5group in an experimental trial, respectively. The resultant diet C2 lowered the liver alkaline phosphatase level (ALP) from C0 (240.72±3.35) to 203.52±2.08 (C2), respectively. Similarly, C2 significantly lowered the ALT from 60.28±2.23 (C0) &57.58±0.91 (C2) in rats. Moreover, C2 treatment showed a maximum reduction of AST from 145.13±2.10 (C0) to 134.52±1.24 (C2), respectively. Convincingly, chicory-based diet may be employed as an alternative to medication in the prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hepatic malfunctioning.

Functional quality of optimized peach-based beverage developed by application of ultrasonic processing.

The influence of thermal treatment (at 90°C for 10 min) and sonication (at 20 kHz and 130 W for 30, 60, and 90 min on room temperature) on the physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and organic acids of fresh formulated functional peach beverage was investigated. The results indicated that conventional pasteurization and sonication treatment did not show any significant changes in pH value and Brix amount of juice, and however, a rise in cloud value was observed under all processing conditions. The thermal treatment caused the decrement in total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity (assessed by diphenyl dipicryl hydrazyl (DPPH), ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)), and organic acids of juice, whereas sonication treatment for 90 min increased maximum the activity of bioactive compounds (TPC: 600.61 µg/100 ml; TFC: 177 µg CE/100 ml), antioxidants (DPPH: 51.87%; FRAP: 506.13 µmol Trolox/L; ABTS: 1,507.375 µmol Trolox/L), and organic acids (malic acid: 998; citric acid: 128; oxalic acid: 145; shikimic acid: 63 µg/100 ml) as compared to other treatment conditions and control. Multivariate data analysis was done by principal component analysis as it identifies patterns in data by comparing data sets which is further expressed based on their similarities and discriminations, respectively.

Antioxidant capacity of cinnamon extract for palm oil stability.

BACKGROUND: Spices and their bioactive components are more promising attractions for their inclusion in diet-based regimes to improve human health. These are sources of natural antioxidants and play an important role in the chemoprevention of diseases and aging. The aim of the current study was to explore the antioxidant potential of cinnamon; a widely used spice throughout the world. METHODS: The current research was aimed to investigate the antioxidant potential of cinnamon extract. For the purpose, cinnamon sticks were procured from local super market, while palm oil was obtained from local oil industry. The resultant extract was analyzed for its antioxidant activity through total phenolic content (TPC), free radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay), and total antioxidant activity was measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) test. The shelf life of palm oil was checked by adding cinnamon extract in oil at different levels i.e., 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25%, to compare the antioxidant potential of the extract whereas, To acted as control and TBHA @ 0.1% was used as synthetic antioxidant in the oil samples. The oil samples were analyzed for rancidity check during storage (after every seven days for a storage period of four weeks). RESULTS: The results indicated that total phenolic contents (TPC); 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values of cinnamon extract were as 355.01 ± 8.34 gallic acid equivalent per gram (mg GAE/g), 90.18 ± 2.12 (%) and 132.82 ± 3.12 (µmol/g), respectively. The oxidative parameters for treatments i.e., To, TBHA, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 were recorded as peroxide value (2.61 ± 0.07, 2.42 ± 0.08, 2.57 ± 0.05, 2.56 ± 0.03, 2.54 ± 0.02, 2.54 ± 0.01, 2.46 ± 0.06 meq/kg, respectively), free fatty acids (0.601 ± 0.05, 0.522 ± 0.02, 0.580 ± 0.07, 0.572 ± 0.03, 0.56 ± 00.07, 0.552 ± 0.03, 0.536 ± 0.05%, respectively), TBA value (22.4 ± 1.45, 20.1 ± 0.73, 21.8 ± 0.42, 21.2 ± 1.56, 20.7 ± 0.48, 20.5 ± 0.59, 20.2 ± 0.91 µg/kg, respectively) and iodine value (52.82 ± 2.12, 52.71 ± 2.38, 52.68 ± 2.96, 52.97 ± 2.14, 52.93 ± 2.12, 53.15 ± 2.38, 52.71 ± 2.96, respectively). Overall, the statistical analysis indicated that all parameters regarding oil stability i.e., peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid content, (FFA) thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value and iodine value (IV) were significant with respect to treatments and storage. CONCLUSION: From the present study, it can be concluded that the cinnamon extract proved effective in reducing the lipid oxidation of palm oil and it can be successfully used in place of synthetic antioxidants in food preparations.

Compositional analysis of developed whey based fructooligosaccharides supplemented low- calorie drink.

Array of evidences have indicated that the supplementation of diet with functional and nutritional components to provide numerous health benefits. In this context, fortification with novel constituents as prebiotics i.e. fructooligosaccharides (FOS) is an encouraging trend all over the world. In the current exploration, FOS was used as a prebiotic in whey based functional drinks. For drink formulation, four samples were prepared i.e. whey based drink (T1) and FOS supplemented whey drinks @ 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 % referred as T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The formulated drinks were evaluated for compositional analysis with special reference to amino acids and mineral profiles. The functional drinks showed momentous impact on total solids (TS) whilst, pH, acidity, crude protein and fat were affected non-significantly. However, pH, TS, fat and protein contents of prepared drinks were decreased substantially (p < 0.05) during storage period. However, prepared drinks showed non-significant variations in essential and non-essential amino acids.